2023
Developmental Biology
Name: Developmental Biology
Code: BIO11469L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
Growth, Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis. Emphasis on the gene expression mechanisms in the human species, to be complemented for other species by one of the Animal Models (BIO11485L) modules.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
A) Specialised formal learning of Developmental Biology, in the context of the acquired knowledge of Embryology (BIO2019) and envisioning the continuity with Animal Models (BIO2105), centred on the concepts defined by chapters 2, 3 and 4 of the syllabus, and details thereof on the "mechanisms" at molecular, cellular and physiological levels, including pathological incidences.
B) Introduction to the most relevant experimental approaches
C) Stimulation of personal initiative through an evaluation based on autonomous literature reviews, and participation in group discussions, on specific themes of Human Developmental Biology designed to promote motivation for this study discipline. Moreover, this model of evaluation aims at developing a new perception of team work, and of a community of knowledge spanning the student class, together with a diversified learning given the opportunity to approach in depth one or two specific themes referable to the syllabus.
B) Introduction to the most relevant experimental approaches
C) Stimulation of personal initiative through an evaluation based on autonomous literature reviews, and participation in group discussions, on specific themes of Human Developmental Biology designed to promote motivation for this study discipline. Moreover, this model of evaluation aims at developing a new perception of team work, and of a community of knowledge spanning the student class, together with a diversified learning given the opportunity to approach in depth one or two specific themes referable to the syllabus.
Contents
1. Introduction
Review of main concepts
2. Growth
Growth curves, secular trends in postnatal maturation
Cell cycle control, apoptosis. Signal transduction pathways. Promoters, transcription factors, DNA methylation. Chromatin conformation. Monoallelic expression. Senescence
Flow cytometry. Biochemical, genetics and molecular biology approaches. Somatotyping.
3. Cell differentiation
Examples: growth plate of long bones, blood tissue
Signal transduction pathways for cell differentiation
Stem cells, iPS. Cancer theories. Cancer Stem Cells. Metastasis
FACS, clonogenesis, transplants, chimeras, gene introduction, nuclear reprogramming
4. Morphogenesis
Examples: asymmetry left-right, body axes, limb development, odontogenesis.
Mechanisms: intercellular recognition and adhesion, reaction-diffusion, segregation of cellular groups, cellular migration, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, embryo regionalisation and segmentation Computer simulation
Review of main concepts
2. Growth
Growth curves, secular trends in postnatal maturation
Cell cycle control, apoptosis. Signal transduction pathways. Promoters, transcription factors, DNA methylation. Chromatin conformation. Monoallelic expression. Senescence
Flow cytometry. Biochemical, genetics and molecular biology approaches. Somatotyping.
3. Cell differentiation
Examples: growth plate of long bones, blood tissue
Signal transduction pathways for cell differentiation
Stem cells, iPS. Cancer theories. Cancer Stem Cells. Metastasis
FACS, clonogenesis, transplants, chimeras, gene introduction, nuclear reprogramming
4. Morphogenesis
Examples: asymmetry left-right, body axes, limb development, odontogenesis.
Mechanisms: intercellular recognition and adhesion, reaction-diffusion, segregation of cellular groups, cellular migration, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, embryo regionalisation and segmentation Computer simulation
Teaching Methods
Theoretical sessions:Complementation of contact sessions with graphical contents,literature and hyperlinks for the presented subjects, released in a separate Web page referenced in the Moodle platform.
Practical sessions(2x2h):Usage of biological and bibliographic databases, to enable a better use of the World Wide Web as a source for updated and specialised information.
Evaluation: exam or
Themes (2x8val.) Based on the performance of each student in two phases, related to the treatment of proposed themes. The chosen themes are treated by freely formed groups of 2-3. For 3 weeks these groups compile information, prepare a summary for it to serve as basis for the second phase, and present briefly their learning to the class. Themes are then drawn at random to assign to re-assorted groups of students who, following the detailed guides prepared by the docent for the themes, must prepare a public presentation.
Online tests (4x1 val.)
Practical sessions(2x2h):Usage of biological and bibliographic databases, to enable a better use of the World Wide Web as a source for updated and specialised information.
Evaluation: exam or
Themes (2x8val.) Based on the performance of each student in two phases, related to the treatment of proposed themes. The chosen themes are treated by freely formed groups of 2-3. For 3 weeks these groups compile information, prepare a summary for it to serve as basis for the second phase, and present briefly their learning to the class. Themes are then drawn at random to assign to re-assorted groups of students who, following the detailed guides prepared by the docent for the themes, must prepare a public presentation.
Online tests (4x1 val.)
Teaching Staff
- Paulo Guilherme Leandro de Oliveira [responsible]
Certificações
